The transcript details a presentation at CES 2026 by David Smith (ams OSRAM) and Chris Chinnock (Insight Media) regarding the TMF8829, a high-resolution direct Time-of-Flight (dToF) sensor. This device is designed to advance spatial awareness in compact consumer and industrial electronics.
Core Technology: The TMF8829 Sensor
The TMF8829 is an “all-in-one” optical module that represents a significant leap in depth-sensing resolution.
- High Resolution: It features a configurable resolution from standard 8×8 up to 48×32 pixels (1,536 zones), offering “low-level machine vision” capabilities.
- Direct Time-of-Flight: It uses Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) technology to measure the time it takes for light pulses to bounce off objects with picosecond precision.
- Fully Integrated Module: The 5.7 x 2.9 x 1.5 mm package contains two 940nm eye-safe VCSEL emitters, a SPAD array, and two microcontroller cores for on-chip processing.
Key Applications & Use Cases
David Smith highlighted several key areas where this high-resolution depth mapping is transformative:
- AR/VR & Smart Glasses: It is used for SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), room reconstruction, and the precise placement of virtual objects in physical spaces.
- Robotics & Drones: The sensor enables collision avoidance, object detection, and precision landing/takeoff simulations for drones.
- Consumer Privacy: Because it operates without a standard camera, it can perform presence detection and people counting in privacy-sensitive areas.
- Precision Engineering: It is sensitive enough to differentiate between small objects, such as an espresso cup versus a travel mug in smart coffee machines.
Technical Performance Features
- Long Range: It achieves a detection range of up to 11 meters with an 80° wide field of view.
- Smudge Tolerance: Advanced histogram technology ensures it remains accurate even if the cover glass is smudged or contaminated.
- Low Power: It consumes only a few hundred milliwatts at 30 frames per second, making it ideal for battery-powered wearables.
- AI-Ready: The sensor can stream raw histogram data to a host processor, allowing for advanced AI-driven environment interpretation.